Major Crop Insurance Fraud Uncovered in Rajasthan: 71 Fake Farmers Attempt Rs 9 Crore Scam
In a shocking revelation from Rajasthan, a sophisticated attempt to defraud the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) has been exposed. Authorities have identified seventy-one individuals who allegedly posed as farmers using completely forged land documentation to illicitly claim crop insurance benefits.
Fraudulent Scheme at SBI Salasar Branch
The elaborate scam was orchestrated through the State Bank of India's branch in Salasar. The accused individuals falsely registered ownership of agricultural land located in Gajner tehsil of Bikaner district. Not only were the land records fabricated, but entries for mustard crops were also completely manufactured to create a facade of legitimate farming activity.
Using these counterfeit documents, loans were successfully processed under the government's Kisan Credit Card scheme. Subsequently, insurance policies were issued under the PMFBY, setting the stage for what could have been a fraudulent claim amounting to nearly Rs 9 crore.
Surprise Inspection Uncovers the Scam
The entire irregularity came to light on Friday when Rajasthan's Agriculture Minister, Kirodi Lal Meena, conducted an unannounced inspection at the SBI Salasar branch. He was accompanied by officials from the state agriculture department and representatives from insurance companies involved in the PMFBY scheme.
"Verification of revenue records confirmed that no agricultural land was registered in the names of the beneficiaries," Minister Meena stated unequivocally after the inspection. This crucial discovery exposed the complete fabrication at the heart of the insurance claims.
Massive Financial Implications Revealed
Despite the non-existent farmland, an insurance premium of approximately Rs 51 lakh had already been collected. This premium included contributions from both state and central government funds allocated for farmer welfare. Officials revealed that the fraudulent claim was alarmingly close to receiving clearance before the minister's surprise intervention halted the process.
Minister Meena disclosed an even more disturbing dimension to the scandal. He alleged that across Rajasthan, nearly 15,000 landless individuals have been similarly insured by falsely declaring them as landholders. The suspected fraudulent claims in this broader scheme could reach an astonishing Rs 1,150 crore.
Organized Scam with Multiple Players
Describing the operation as a "systematic and organised scam," Meena pointed to a troubling nexus involving bank officials, insurance agents, and middlemen. This coordinated network allegedly facilitated the creation and processing of fraudulent documentation on a significant scale.
The minister has called for a comprehensive investigation by an independent agency to unravel the full extent of the conspiracy. "Strict legal action would be taken against all those responsible for this scam," Meena asserted. He further indicated that blacklisting of the concerned insurance company is under serious consideration as part of the disciplinary measures.
This case highlights significant vulnerabilities in the verification processes for government agricultural schemes and raises urgent questions about oversight mechanisms designed to protect public funds intended for genuine farmers.
